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The union that represents Vermont state employees has become tangled in an internal contract disagreement with its own staff union.

The matter is between the Vermont State Employees Association and the Staff Alliance, which represents 16 VSEA employees.

The dispute is headed toward court, according to the Staff Alliance, though both sides hope for resolution.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s gotten this far and will likely end up in court to resolve it,” said Staff Alliance President Adam Norton.

Steve Howard, executive director of the VSEA, sent a memo about the disagreement to more than 5,000 members Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, we are addressing a legal and contractual personnel dispute that will likely go through the legal process before it is resolved,” Howard wrote. “I wanted to make sure you heard about this dispute from me before you heard about it in the press.”

Neither Howard nor Norton would comment on the substance of the original grievance. VSEA spokesman Doug Gibson called it “an internal personnel matter.”

The grievance went to VSEA President Shelley Martin, who was acting as an independent hearing officer, Howard said.

Howard said Martin’s decision goes beyond the terms of the Staff Alliance contract. Howard said he is seeking to protect VSEA’s financial interests as well as his ability as executive director to ensure a workplace free from “abusive and bullying behavior.”

The Staff Alliance is satisfied with Martin’s decision and wants to block the VSEA from an appeal, Norton said. The union is considering filing a case at Washington Superior Court if the two sides fail to agree.

The VSEA plans to hold its annual meeting at Jay Peak Resort on Friday and Saturday. Howard said VSEA members will discuss safe staffing levels and security for state employees and meet with gubernatorial candidates.

This story was first posted online on Sept. 9, 2015. Contact April Burbank at 802-660-1863 or aburbank@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AprilBurbank.